Songs of Devotion & Desire
Schedule
Sun, 12 Apr, 2026 at 05:00 am
UTC+10:00Location
Carlton Church of All Nations | Melbourne, VI
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An intimate concert centred on Benjamin Britten’s extraordinary Canticles - miniature dramas that distill complex emotional and spiritual themes into concentrated musical forms.Often described as “operas in miniature”, Britten’s Canticles serve as profound psychological portraits. They trace themes of love, sacrifice, transcendence and doubt, revealing the fragile boundary between the sacred and the deeply human.
Britten openly acknowledged that Henry Purcell’s Divine Hymns provided the creative impulse for the Canticles - part of his broader engagement with the English Baroque tradition established by Purcell and later shaped by Handel.
In a powerful contemporary response, Lyric Opera of Melbourne will present the World Premieres of Sacred Songs Books I & II by Australian composer Kevin March. Presented in dialogue with Britten’s Canticles, March’s new works offer deeply personal reflections on faith and meaning in the modern world.
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Where is it happening?
Carlton Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston St,Melbourne,VIC,AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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